First For Music News

Blur play London Goldsmith's College - video

Band return to scene of further education

Blur played a gig in front of a few hundred fans at the London Goldsmith's College earlier tonight (June 22) – the university where guitarist Graham Coxon and bassist Alex James attended and first met.

The show followed intimate comeback gigs for the reunited band at London’s Rough Trade East store and the East Anglia Railway Museum as the four-piece prepare to headline the Glastonbury festival on Sunday (June 28).

Watch fan footage of the show by clicking on the video below.

The band opened their set with their debut single 'She's So High', with frontman Damon Albarn reminiscing about the venue shortly afterwards.

"I remember this place being cavernous," he recalled, "running around when there were bands on. It seems a lot smaller now."

The band played hits including a Albarn-fronted 'Parklife', 'Girls And Boys' and 'Popscene' in front of the sweltering crowd – many of who were forced to drink bottled cider or spirits as the beer taps quickly ran dry, such was the demand for booze.

Later in the set Albarn told the crowd how amazed he was that the band were playing again in such intimate venues. "I didn't think we'd do this kind of gig again," he said. "I'm pleased we have, thanks for coming."

After a rapturously-received 'Country House', the singer explained how the show took him back to the younger days of the band. "It's truly what it used to be like," he gushed. He then referenced the dry ice effects, adding: "Except we never used to be able to afford that excessive smoke."

Following 'This Is A Low' Blur returned to the stage for a five-song encore, climaxing with 1995 single 'The Universal'.

Photo Gallery - Inside Blur's comeback and beyond

Blur played:

'She's So High'
'Girls And Boys'
'Tracy Jacks'
'There's No Other Way'
'Jubilee'
'Badhead'
'Beetlebum'
'Out Of Time'
'Trimm Trabb'
'Coffee And TV'
'Tender'
'Country House'
'Oily Water'
'Chemical World'
'Sunday Sunday'
'Parklife'
'End Of A Century'
'To The End'
'This Is A Low'
'Popscene'
'Advert'
'Song 2'
'For Tomorrow'
'The Universal'




Blur are also set to play sold-out shows at London's Hyde Park (July 2, 3), while some limited tickets are still available for the band's gig at the Manchester MEN Arena this Friday (June 26).

To check the availability of Blur tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.
 

More News:

 

Comments (6)

Add a comment

mr_mattie 

Jun 23, 2009

Am I the only one that doesn't really like Blur? Over the years, there's only been a handful of tunes I've actually liked. The rest just seem a bit.... I dunno.... quirky and cheeky. Not sure why I don't buy into it but I just don't love them the way everyone else seems to.

punkrock_1976 

Jun 23, 2009

Wow! Great setlist, good to see some album tracks too! Although no sign of 'Blue Jeans'...

Rascal Puff 

Jun 23, 2009

I saw Blur on sunday at the cliffs in southend great set but why no Charmless Man???

Captain Pin 

Jun 23, 2009

wicked set. would've loved to have been there. looking forward to sunday at glasto. baaam!

jeffn 

Jun 23, 2009

Was at Southend too - don't want to sound smug, but we got Essex Dogs and Battery in your leg in addition to the Goldsmith's set. They're pulling out all the stops, brilliant set, brilliant band, brilliant gig.

ratcatcher 

Jun 24, 2009

I'm with you Mattie, don't buy it at all and they got Glasto and TITP headline slots simply for reforming. Mediocre then, old and mediocre now. Will be avoiding them at T in The Park!

Add your comment

Pic: Ant

Pic: Ant

Listen to full tracks now. Users outside the UK can hear 30-second clips of each song.

Free weekly music news, videos and MP3s in your inbox:

Blur CDs